Cardiac compression device having passive and active chambers
Inventors
Criscione, John C. • Harrison, Lewis D. • Moreno, Michael R. • Bolch, Christina M. • Robbins, Dennis I. • Biswas, Saurabh • Leschinsky, Boris
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12708759-B2
Publication Date
2026-08-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides methods, systems, kits, and cardiac compression devices that have both passive chambers and active chambers to improve heart function.
Core Innovation
The implantable direct cardiac compression device comprises inner passive chambers conforming to the end-diastolic shape of the heart and outer active chambers containing active fluid. Expandable wire-frame arrangements and a multi-fingered chamber structure position around a heart outline. Passive fluid fits the inner chambers to the heart without impeding or constraining heart function while the device is inactive, preserving normal cardiac curvature through pneumatic coupling.
The claimed direct cardiac compression method utilizes the device to improve diastolic recoil of the heart. Outer active chambers periodically pressurize in synchrony with cardiac contraction to apply compressive force to the inner passive chambers to compress the heart. Periodic depressurization during recoil contracts the inner passive chambers and moves them away from the heart. The background problem is not explicitly described in patent.
Claims Coverage
The claim coverage includes one independent claim with three inventive features directed to a method to improve diastolic recoil of a heart using a direct cardiac contact compression device.
Heart-conforming passive chambers and outer active chambers
The device comprises inner passive chambers that conform to the end-diastolic shape of the heart, a passive port for depositing passive fluid, and outer active chambers with input and output connections for active fluid ingress and egress to press on the inner passive chambers to compress the heart.
Passive fitting while the device is inactive
The device is implanted around a heart, and the inner passive chambers are filled with passive fluid to fit to the heart without impeding heart function or constraining the heart when the device is inactive.
Synchronized compression and recoil
The outer active chambers are periodically pressurized in synchrony with heart contraction to apply compressive force to the inner passive chambers, and periodically depressurized during recoil to contract the inner passive chambers and move them away from the heart.
The claim covers a direct cardiac compression method combining heart-conforming passive chambers fitted while inactive with outer active chambers that use synchronized pressurization and depressurization to compress the heart and improve diastolic recoil.
Stated Advantages
The claimed method is directed to improving diastolic recoil of the heart.
When the device is inactive, the passive chambers fit to the heart without impeding heart function or constraining the heart.
The summary reports that, in ovine acute-heart-failure results, passive support shifts the end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship leftward and active assist increases cardiac output by 58.8% and stroke work by 99.5% versus the failure state.
Documented Applications
Implantation around a heart for direct cardiac compression, with synchronized active-chamber pressurization to assist heart contraction and depressurization during recoil.
Evaluation of passive support and active assist in an ovine acute-heart-failure setting.
Passive-chamber pressure monitoring for assessing device performance and adjusting active-chamber actuation timing or pressure.
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